A NKAYI farmer who was searching for his cattle was trampled to death by an elephant which strayed from Hwange National Park. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the death of Quite Maphosa (37) of Gwampa village near Nkayi business centre.
By Nokuthaba Dlamini
“He died on Sunday afternoon while looking for his cattle grazing in the bush. Maphosa was in the company of two other villagers who were also searching for their beasts, but, unfortunately, they came across a large herd of elephants being led by a bull. They freaked and tried to run away, but the bull chased after them and that’s when it trampled Maphosa to death while the other two escaped unharmed,” he said.
Farawo said they have since dispatched an animal control team in the area.
“We are saddened by the news and it is very unusual, but I want to assure Nkayi people that we have dispatched the parks rangers in the area to control them.”
Last week at Nkenyane area along Bulawayo-Nkayi road, a large herd of elephants was spotted crossing the road, an incident villagers said was unusual. They said they now lived in fear, as they all were not used to dangerous wild animals and they requested ZimParks to educate people on reactions to take when they met the game.
Some feared the animals would destroy their maize crops and pleaded for immediate intervention before harvest period.
Meanwhile, a Victoria Falls man who was trampled by a domesticated elephant called Dojiwe early last month is still battling for his life after suffering spinal and thigh injuries.
